Mosquito-Born West Nile and EEE

The following information was sent out to us from the Department of Health, and we have been asked to help spread the word. If you have any questions, please copy the links below and paste them into your browser.

It is that time of year again. The mosquitoes are biting and starting about now there is a risk that they may be carrying West Nile virus (WNV) and/or Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE). As you may have heard, we have already detected EEE virus in a batch of mosquitoes collected in Grand Isle on 6/17. So far, no other mosquitoes have tested positive from that site or any other.

This is the time to remind your residents to take precautions, and the Health Department would like your help in spreading the word about how to prevent mosquito bites.

EEE tends to occur more focally, usually within a few miles of a hardwood acidic swamp. We have created risk maps to highlight the areas where we have detected EEE in the past. This includes areas of Addison and Rutland Counties as well as Franklin and northern Chittenden Counties and now Grand Isle. The maps can be viewed on our website at http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/arbovirus/surveillance/index.aspx

We have created specific materials for communities at moderate risk which are available on our website. Keep in mind that we don't know what the risk for EEE is in most of Vermont, so it is important to remind all Vermonters to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. In addition, WNV has been documented in every county in Vermont, and while the risk for illness is low, it is widespread.

Mosquito surveillance has just started. Most towns that had surveillance last year will have some surveillance this year. Surveillance is being expanded to additional parts of the state (see attached Town Surveillance map). If a batch of mosquitoes from your town tests positive for either WNV or EEE, I will call you and let you know.

The risk maps, town surveillance maps, and results of mosquito testing will be updated on the website regularly throughout the season.